10 Tips for Positive Influence

December 31, 2021

Positive influence in business consulting

Hi, team! It’s your friend, Mary, with the I in Team series where you can find, be, and build your positive influence. We all face times in life where being a positive influence can feel difficult and we are often stuck in our negative ways of thinking, so much so that we find it impossible to get out of those patterns. It may not happen to everyone, but it does happen to most of us from time to time. In those moments, adopting positive influence actions seems impractical, and it’s even harder to know where to start. Even if you don’t face these times in your life, knowing how to be a positive influence is imperative for long-term success. Stemming from our philosophy that your influence is your greatest responsibility, here are our 10 top tips for positive influence.

1) Slow Down

Going too fast can become cyclical, causing us and those we influence to speed up in various areas of our lives. Going too fast can make us anxious or forget that we have influence to be mindful of. By slowing down, we become more present and are therefore better able to control the influence we exert onto others.]

2) Be Honest

Being honest with ourselves and others is how we can build positive, trustworthy relationships. Sometimes being honest is scary, but it’s the only way to grow productively, remain proactive, and correctly fix mistakes. If you aren’t honest with yourself or others, it can create gaps and cracked foundations of understanding which can lead to issues when moving forward as a team to complete goals.

3) Be Self-Aware

When you realize what your best is and can achieve that, you will fully understand what it means to influence others positively. Self-awareness encompasses understanding how you think, act, and react in the present moment to current stimulus, whether that be from other people or your environment in general. This self-awareness, like slowing down, allows you to control your influence.

4) Enjoy the Present Moment

Too often do we forget about the present moment. Find time each day to enjoy the present. There is a time and place to be caught up in the moment, but in doing so you lack the ability to slow down and can lose touch with your influence. By being present, you give yourself enough awareness to appropriately respond to people and your environment rather than react.

5) Be Accountable

If you say you are going to do something, then do it. Hold yourself accountable to follow your words through with promised action. This is similar to being honest in that you are honest about your intentions to act and hold yourself accountable to following through. Being accountable to others raises your influence and ensures you are reliable and trustworthy, two traits of those who influence positively.

6) Learn From Mistakes

We all make mistakes; some are big and others are small, but in all mistakes there is a path to learn. We grow and become better humans from the mistakes we make. This aligns with having a growth mindset, or the understanding that you will need to learn and grow in order to develop. Nobody is perfect, so leading the way by understanding we all make mistakes and learning from them helps others feel empowered in their mistakes, too.

7) Keep Learning

Learning can come from a multitude of things: reading books/articles/blogs, taking classes online or in a classroom, having discussions with peers, listening to podcasts/audiobooks, watching videos, and more. This goes with having a growth mindset, knowing that you will continue to learn and grow as life goes on. Keep learning to keep your influence positive. Growing yourself means growing your influence.

8) Be S.M.A.R.T.

Set personal and professional goals to continue growing. Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. S.M.A.R.T. goals help keep you accountable and promote personal development.

9) Show Gratitude

It can be easy to take for granted the things and people we are lucky to have in our lives, so be mindful and show gratitude. Humbling yourself in knowing that you are never working alone and showing others that they are valued through your gratitude for them displays your positive influence for others to follow with grace.

10) Be Your Best

You need to go out and focus on being the best you you can be so that those you influence can benefit. While some may deem this quest to be selfish, I assure you that it is not. In striving to be your best, you help more people and yourself. In knowing your influence, you thrive and help others thrive.

We at the I in Team series believe that your single greatest responsibility as a human being is the immense power of your influence. Only you can decide how to wield it. Everyday you wake up, you are given an opportunity to be the catalyst for positive change. No matter how small it may seem, stay rooted in who you are and exude compassion, love, and kindness in all your actions. With your commit to truly knowing yourself, we can help make our world a better and more diverse place.

Looking for help with Individual Development?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

7 Misconceptions About Cash Flow Management

September 30, 2025

Cash flow management is understanding how money flows in and out, tracking expenses, and projecting what may happen in the future based on the past.

Team Collaboration Training: Strategies for Building High-Performing Teams

August 30, 2025

Developing a strategy for team collaboration training can improve alignment, accountability, and trust. With these tools, teams become high performing.

The Influence of Positive Habits on Leadership Communication Skills

July 25, 2025

Learn how positive habits like active listening and mindfulness can strengthen leadership communication skills and improve team outcomes.

The Role of Mentors: Reducing Employee Turnover Through Nurturing Mentorship

By Mary Griffin • June 26, 2025

Reducing employee turnover is a byproduct of intentional influence. Mentorship programs nurture teams, strengthen culture, and support long-term retention.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.